Ban on 'Sadda Haq' violates right to expression, say producers

Chandigarh: The ban imposed on Punjabi film 'Sadda Haq' is "not justified" and hampers the creativity of filmmakers, say film producers.

Paramjit Singh Kalkat and Jarnail Singh, both partners in Kalkat Production House and producers of upcoming Punjabi film 'Rangroot' said that the when the Censor Board, a central body of Government of India, has granted approval, the state government had no right to ban 'Sadda Haq'.

"The nod of Censor Board that 'Sadda Haq' fulfills all the norms laid by government and is a clean movie to watch," he said.

The ban imposed on Punjabi film 'Sadda Haq' is "not justified" and hampers the creativity of filmmakers.

He said that the move of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee chief Avtar Singh Makkar supporting the movie and writing to censor board regarding it is the biggest proof that it does not have anything objectionable.

"The SGPC president is a public figure and enjoys highest degree of honour amongst the Sikh community. Had the movie been objectionable, he would have never endorsed it," he said.

He questioned the state government's presence of mind of banning the movie an year after it has been news and for the last 15 days its promos are being aggressively run in the state.

"Banning the movie a day before release has raised doubts over credentials of state government and its wisdom. As film makers we demand immediate removal of ban," he said.

'Sadda Haq' believed to be glorifying terrorism was banned by Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi.